Connacht have continued building for next season with the signing of Danie Poolman from the Stormers.

Poolman helped the Western Province to Vodacom Cup glory last term and he will link up with new signing Dan Parks at Connacht next term as they look forward to their second season in the Heineken Cup. Poolman has had to vie with the likes of Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon in the past and Poolman is delighted to be making the switch to Galway.

"I am looking forward to learning from their coaches, players and structures," Poolman said. "It will be a truly international experience, I think of Ireland as a long term goal, and I am confident I can add value to the squad for next season's league and Heineken Cup campaign.

"I am grateful and want to thank Western Province for all that I have learned and achieved, but this is really an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…to be able to experience life and rugby in beautiful Ireland!"

Connacht head coach Eric Elwood is looking forward to utilising Poolman's Super Rugby experience. Elwood said: "He's coming from a club with an excellent reputation for developing young talent and he has starred alongside some quality international players. He's a strong ball-carrier with an excellent work rate both in attack and defence and I am really looking forward to working with him."